Manor House, Northumberland, named best holiday let in North East

Angie Doughty, is celebrating after picking up a Sykes Cottage award for her property just outside the beautiful, historic village of Warkworth, along Northumberland’s Heritage Coastline.

Angie was awarded gold in the Best in the North East of England category for Manor House, her spacious, single-level, five-bedroom cottage. 

The national travel awards programme by staycation specialist Sykes Holiday Cottages saw a significant number of entries from across the UK and Ireland – with Manor House fending off tough competition to take home the esteemed gold award. 

After several careers over the years, including owning a bed and breakfast, working as an air stewardess and teacher, and renovating several other properties with her partner Frank, Angie decided to try her hand at holiday letting back in 2018, finding great joy in welcoming guests to the area.  

Manor House sleeps ten and showcases impressive, unrestricted views across the open Northumberland countryside which guests can enjoy from the cottage, the large, elevated patio, and additional decked area. There is also a brick-built BBQ. 

Since Manor House first became available to holidaymakers in 2018, Angie has reaped the rewards of a surge in staycations to Northumberland, and the property is nearly fully booked throughout the whole of 2023. 

The Sykes Gem Awards first launched in 2017 and aim to celebrate the best people and properties in the UK’s holiday let sector - judged by a panel of industry experts including Sykes’ CEO Graham Donoghue and COO Bev Dumbleton, as well as The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski.

Also recognised in the awards were Northumberland properties Garden Cottage, which won silver in the Best in North East England category, and Millennium Cottage which secured bronze in the same category.

Properties were judged using owner entries and guest feedback, alongside details like photos, occupancy figures and property amenities.

The judging panel were impressed by the style and facilities on offer at Manor House, Garden Cottage, and Millennium Cottage, along with guest feedback on cleanliness, comfort and value for money. 

Manor House owner, Angie Doughty, said: “I’ve put so much into making Manor House a success and I’m really proud that these efforts have well and truly paid off. I actually shed a tear when I found out I had won this award!

“I always make sure I am there in person to welcome guests when they arrive, answer any questions they might have, and help them to settle in quickly so they can start enjoying their staycation.

“Holiday letting is a wonderful industry to be in – meeting our wonderful guests and knowing they are going to have a fabulous time at Manor House is so fulfilling.”

Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages, added: “We’re excited to have relaunched the Sykes Gems to recognise and reward some of the best holiday lets across the country.

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“A lot of work goes into running a successful holiday let so it was a difficult decision amongst so many wonderful properties, but our final winners are those consistently going above and beyond to deliver unforgettable breaks for their guests.

“Staycations are as popular as ever in 2023, with many Brits having rediscovered their love of a holiday at home during the pandemic. Because of this, those with a second home in Northumberland might be tempted to turn it into a holiday let – with our Gem Award winners offering plenty of inspiration for those who need it!”

For more information or to book a Gems award-winner, visit sykescottages.co.uk or call 01244 617683.